Archive Case #104: Feline Cholangitis

Clinical Clues

1. A cat is presented for poor appetite, lethargy, and intermittent vomiting.
2. The owner has recently noticed yellow discolouration of the ears and gums.
3. On examination the cat is febrile and mildly painful in the cranial abdomen.
4. Bloodwork reveals hyperbilirubinaemia and elevated liver enzyme activity.
5. Ultrasound supports inflammation involving the biliary system.
6. Inflammatory disease of the feline biliary tree commonly causes jaundice, fever, and anorexia.

Diagnosis

Feline Cholangitis

This case is most consistent with Feline Cholangitis because the cat has jaundice, fever, and biliary tract inflammation with compatible laboratory changes. The most important clues are the hyperbilirubinaemia and cranial abdominal pain, which make a purely intestinal disorder less likely.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.